Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Statelessness Officer, under the direct supervision of a more senior protection colleague and in close cooperation with the DIP Statelessness Section, provides legal and policy support to Operations relating to statelessness, as well as guidance and advice on operational planning and practices to ensure that effective activities are undertaken to address statelessness in the AoR.
The incumbent maintains close working relations with senior protection staff, and interacts at the technical level with colleagues of regionally based UN sister agencies, other intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organisations, embassies and academic institutions.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
– Provide advice to Regional Bureaux and Field Offices to ensure that operational and advocacy responses to statelessness reflect international standards and mainstream methodologies for responses to the problem of statelessness, including its prevention and reduction.
– Provide analysis and technical advice on nationality laws and statelessness determination procedures, operational responses, including to resolve protracted situations; guidance on methods of identification of stateless persons; civil status registration and documentation.
– Monitor the development of international law and doctrine on statelessness, nationality and related areas and developments in the field of nationality law.
– Advocate for proper interpretation of law and doctrine and promote protection principles and international law development of standards as relevant to the prevention and reduction of statelessness and the protection of stateless persons
– Provide quality legal support and protection advice on statelessness, draft position papers and guidelines on pertinent legal and operational issues.
– Advise on efforts to map statelessness situations and provide guidance in the formulation of strategies for the identification, prevention and reduction of statelessness and protection of stateless persons.
– With the support of the supervisor, handle individual cases and situations raising special questions of application or interpretation of international law, international standards on statelessness, including the two UN Statelessness Conventions, as well as refugee and human rights law.
– Prepare protection documents and policies in cooperation with supervisor.
– Participate in the development of project proposals and project implementation.
– Liaise with DIP, Divisions and Bureaux work units and external actors to enhance awareness of principles relating to statelessness.
– Produce and deliver quality training tools on statelessness and workshops.
– Engage with external partners and stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations, international organizations and other relevant stakeholders on issues related to legal principles pertaining to statelessness and related international law.
– Help to build and maintain effective interfaces with stakeholders who can contribute to enhancing responses to statelessness.
– Represent the Office on protection doctrine and policy in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts.
– Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Law, International Human Rights Law, or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Prot Lrng Pgr Statelessnes;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified
Desirable
At least 1year of experience in refugee issues/human rights/or nationality law/civil status issues. Experience with the UN and/or a Foreign Ministry.
Functional Skills
LE-Legal Research
PR-Statelessness- Doctrinal issues on nationality and statelessness
PR-Statelessness- Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile
-Candidate should have at least 2 – 3 years working in statelessness.
-Candidate should have demonstrated skills and experience in project management which involves multiple-stakeholders;
-Candidate should have legal background (LLM);
-Candidate should have excellent drafting skills;
-Candidate should be able work in stressful environment and in diverse team.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
Desired languages
Arabic
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:
Nature of Position:
The South Sudan Operation is a very complex and high-risk operation covering all 4 pillars of UNHCR. The Associate Statelessness Officer, under the direct supervision of the Senior Protection Officer in Juba and in close cooperation with the Bureau and the DIP Statelessness Section, provides legal and policy support to Operations relating to statelessness, as well as guidance and advice on operational planning and practices to ensure that effective activities are undertaken to address statelessness in the South Sudan Operation.
The incumbent reports to the Protection Officer in Juba and maintains close working relations with relevant staff both at the national level and field locations, a member of the protection team in Juba, South Sudan, the Associate Statelessness Officer is required to work closely with other protection team members, attend and participate regular coordination meetings and organize consultations with field offices.
Desirable experience for the position includes ability to analyze information and prepare timely reports. The candidate required to have knowledge and awareness about international and regional legal and policy instruments dealing with the right to nationality and statelessness and experience of working in the area.
The staff member will work closely with relevant government institutions and interacts at the technical level with UN sister agencies, other intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, embassies and academic institutions. The Associate Statelessness Officer is expected to represent UNHCR in key inter-agency coordination meeting concerning statelessness related issues.
Living and Working Conditions:
The security situation in South Sudan, though generally stable at the national level, remains fragile and fluid in a complex and unpredictable environment. There are isolated small-scale outbreaks of low intensity and localized armed conflict, sub-national conflict over a diverse range of issues including cattle raids, competition for resources and revenge attacks in several areas and sporadic incidents of civil unrest, as well as crime. The security situation has significantly improved in most areas but big challenges remain, with the slow implementation of the revitalized peace agreement. The security level in South Sudan is assessed as substantial (security level 4) in most areas.
Security Risk Management measures in place:
– UN Curfew is in force across the country, but timing differs from one SRM Area to another
– International staff must request and receive security clearance for official and non-official travel. National personnel must request and receive security clearance for all official travel
– International staff on mission must stay in either a UN facility or UN approved commercial lodging for staff members
– All UN female staff must be accommodated in UN residential compound
– Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environment (SSAFE) to be conducted in areas with HIGH Risk level and above
– All international staff, including UNVs and International Contractors working for UN, and national staff are issued with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and VHF radios
Living Conditions
South Sudan is classified as an E non-family, high risk, duty station with a 6-week R&R cycle. UN curfew is from 19:00 to 06:00 in Juba. Movement to and from locations require official vehicle transport. There are very limited medical facilities in South Sudan, with facilities concentrated in Juba. All international staff reside in UNHCR provided accommodation which are equipped with furniture, cafeteria, housekeeping services, and a gym or some sports equipment. In Juba, all basic foods are available in the market ranging from meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. There are a few hotels with pools and restaurants where staff can visit, pending COVID-protocols. While in the field, food supply varies depending on the season.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
HCR Protection Learning Program Statelessness – UNHCR
Work Experience
Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Change capability & adaptability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
Compendium
Add.2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2022 – Part B
Functional clearance
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
How to apply
For a full job description and to apply, interested candidates are requested to visit https://bit.ly/3X6G8M1
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
Closing date of receipt of applications: 16 February 2023 (midnight Geneva time)
